1
as in to frown
to take on a gloomy or forbidding look
his face slowly darkened as we told him the sad news
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to obscure
to make dark, dim, or indistinct
years of accumulated grime have darkened the painting until it can barely be seen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to mar
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
the scandal darkened his otherwise sterling reputation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of darken
In a photo posted to Instagram and liked by Visit Fort Worth, the city’s tourism bureau, the man in question appears to be wearing makeup to darken his complexion.
—
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Simon also said that darkening retail doors can be filled by growing businesses as Life Time health clubs, House of Sports, which is a relatively new concept from Dick’s Sporting Goods, and space can be repurposed to mixed uses, including outdoor uses.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
On these blocks, darkened by the presence of heavily armed federal agents, Minnesotans describe routine movements as calculated risks, unsure which block might erupt into confrontation.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026
But as the camera crew darkened the arena, Malinin was isolated in a spotlight.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darken
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Simon also said that darkening retail doors can be filled by growing businesses as Life Time health clubs, House of Sports, which is a relatively new concept from Dick’s Sporting Goods, and space can be repurposed to mixed uses, including outdoor uses.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
On these blocks, darkened by the presence of heavily armed federal agents, Minnesotans describe routine movements as calculated risks, unsure which block might erupt into confrontation.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026
But as the camera crew darkened the arena, Malinin was isolated in a spotlight.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darken
Verb
-
Do not turn that frown upside down.—
Emma Li,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Referencing hobbies, especially more niche ones, might be frowned upon in more straitlaced sectors but may help your case in a more creative industry.—
Sarah Jackson,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When Dreher wrote The Benedict Option, during the Obama presidency, his primary concern was how to keep faith alive at a time when Christianity seemed to be fading away.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
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Relationship endings are possible under this influence — don’t insist on forcing a connection that’s trying to fade.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The individual, their face covered in a ski mask, appears to fiddle with the camera with a gloved hand before turning away to look for something to obscure the lens.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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But despite the new program’s promising rhetoric, the scientific framing of the announcement obscures a deeper policy problem.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The demoralizing graffiti marring the main entrance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 360 Lenox Ave.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2026
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Hubbard’s own time at UT was marred by controversy over his study of pederasty, the study of adult male relationships with boys in ancient Greece.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
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Stevenson was forced to walk over to him, so that the two could perform the next part of the ritual and stare at each other, eye to eye.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The park is open from daylight to dusk for visitors and 24/7 for campers.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
15 Jan. 2026
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Its hours are from dawn to dusk every day of the year.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With proper application, the blurring balm powder keeps makeup in place for hours on end with minimal touch-ups needed.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
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As Hal witnesses crisis and inequality firsthand, the line between observing and acting begins to blur.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That made kid gloves the perfect choice for a servant handling fine silverware, where even a fingerprint could spoil the dinner presentation.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
4 Feb. 2026
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The Clippers tried to spoil the party, but Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets rode the good vibes of his return across the finish line.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darken. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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